A deal has been agreed for CABI to publish all future editions of the Royal Entomological Society’s (RES) series Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. The much-loved series has helped amateur and professional entomologists with insect identification and taxonomy since 1949.
The partnership provides the RES with a full book publishing service– producing print and eBook versions of the books which describe many insect groups including, for example, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Psocodea and Trichoptera taxa.
CABI’s foundations in entomological research and publishing can be traced back to its inception as the Entomological Research Committee (Tropical Africa) in 1910 and included the launch of the Bulletin of Entomological Research. The Review of Applied Entomology is still published by CABI more than 112 years later.
The RES is an international learned society of members and fellows founded in 1833. It has been devoted to the understanding and development of insect science ever since. It supports international collaboration, research and publication. The handbooks are key to the RES’s strategic aims, particularly in supporting the study and practice of insect science.
As well as the handbooks the RES has a portfolio of seven international scientific journals and has published many stand-alone book volumes for both a scientific and general audience. They also run scientific events, give grants, awards and bursaries, inform science policy, and much more.
As part of the deal CABI will convert the existing recent backlist of RES Handbooks – presently only available as print books – to eBooks and create the RES Handbook eCollection for sale to libraries through the CABI Digital Library. This is the first time that these RES Handbooks will be available digitally and in a fully searchable format.
CABI will work in partnership, with the RES to develop the Handbook series editorially, creating an expanded editorial advisory panel. Its marketing team will help raise the profile of the titles at conferences and events, using social media, The CABI Blog, society membership marketing and email alerts and newsletters.
Dr Andy Robinson, CABI’s Managing Director, Publishing, said, “Our combined experience in entomology and publishing will help put these valuable learning resources into the hands of those who need it the most.
“This includes farmers, researchers and scientists working to feed our growing planet while also wanting to preserve our fragile ecosystems in the face of increasing pressures posed by climate change.”
In addition to the commitment to publish the RES Handbook series, CABI also publishes around 70 new books a year across a range of subject areas, primarily in the life sciences. This includes several new books in entomology every year.
Simon Ward, The RES CEO, said, “We are delighted to be entering into this new partnership with CABI. Both organisations work across the global community, sharing similar values and being not-for-profit. We are excited about developing the Handbooks series in collaboration.
“The importance of insect taxonomy is clear, as a discipline in its own right and to support other areas such as conservation and food security. RES Handbooks are a key output in this area and are highly valued by our membership and beyond. We look forward to growing their output and their reach.”
